According to preliminary data released by the Ukrainian Association of Ore-dressing Enterprises (Ukrrudprom), in 2008 Ukranian mining companies increased their exports of iron ore by 5.1 percent year on year to 21.827 million mt.
Accordingly, in 2008 Ukraine exported 6.4 million mt of iron ore concentrate - up 33.7 percent, 6.77 million mt of sinter ore - down 5.4 percent, and 8.7 million mt of pellets - down two percent, all compared with the data for 2007.
On the other hand, in 2008 Ukrainian steel producers decreased their imports of iron ore by 23.3 percent year on year to 2.723 million mt, but increased imports of sinter ore by 21.7 percent to 1.206 million mt. Total iron ore concentrate imports in 2008 reached 1.005 million mt, down 41.4 percent, while pellet imports amounted to 511,300 mt, down 39.6 percent, both compared to the data for 2007.
In 2008, only four Ukrainian steel producers imported iron ore: namely, Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol, Alchevsk Iron and Steel Works, Enakievsk MZ and Dneprovsky Iron and Steel Works named after F. Dzerzhinsky
Meanwhile, during the year in question, Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol and Alchevsk Iron and Steel Works decreased their imports of iron ore by 45.3 percent and 27.1 percent year on year to 916,300 mt and 705.600 mt respectively.